Soup’s on at New England Food Festival

Friday

Oct 30, 2009 at 12:01 AMOct 30, 2009 at 7:53 PM

Instead of tempting the judges with its clam chowder, The Market at The Pinehills will change things up during this year’s New England Food Festival, a popular part of Plymouth’s annual Thanksgiving celebration.

Kathryn Koch

Instead of tempting the judges with its clam chowder, The Market at The Pinehills will change things up during this year’s New England Food Festival, a popular part of Plymouth’s annual Thanksgiving celebration.

The Market will serve its own special gumbo rather than chowder, Manager Mark Guinasso revealed. Besides sausage and broth, he was unwilling to share the ingredients, but turned more serious when asked why The Market chooses to be part of a huge event like America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration.

“Being a food company, and Thanksgiving being food-based, it makes sense for us to participate,” he said.

Last year, the judges selected The Market’s clam chowder as best in show, landing the supermarket a feature on TV Diner with Kiss 108 radio personality Billy Costa. The people’s choice for best chowder was the CabbyShack, also returning this year with hopes of reclaiming the long-held title.

A full complement of 20 participants will compete in this year’s New England Food Festival to be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. The three judges who will be tasting the entries are all experts in the field of culinary arts. They include Executive Chef Michael Beriau of White Cliffs Country Club; Chef Jack Chiaro, an associate professor at Johnson & Wales University; and Chef John Rega, host of the television show Fooding Around.

Last year, Lindsey’s Family Restaurant in Wareham took the title of Best Overall-People’s Choice and Best Soup-Judge’s Choice, with its seafood bisque. Lindsey’s will return to the food festival this year having been featured in Edible South Shore Magazine and on The Dish with Frances Rivera.

The title of Best Dessert, both Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice, went to Ella’s Woodburning Oven Restaurant of Wareham for its cinnamon apple beignets.